Debate: A formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward.
I have to say that I am more than a bit perturbed about this. In order for me to say that someone has won a debate I would have to conclude that such an individual has convinced me and won me over to his or her position based upon the persuasiveness of the related argument.
Were Democrats persuaded tonight by Romney’s argument? Many have been chastising the President for the things he did not say such as reference to Romney’s 47% comment. Is this really based on anger? Based upon the fact that the President did not say the things we wanted him to say? I've seen Democrats throw temper tantrums at the President for not acting in the way in which they prefer him to act, time after time in the past. But now? In a close election where the stakes are so high?
I can understand why the media will claim that Governor Mitt Romney won the first presidential debate; they had been anxious to claim this all along. With the media, it is always about keeping the race tight and ratings.
And Republicans…? Of course, I can understand why Republicans are claiming their guy won; they actually believe in the policies Romney espoused. It is no surprise they would stand up for their guy. Heck, they were even claiming that polls showing the governor trailing the President these past few weeks were all wrong.
But for many Democrats who declare Romney the winner, are they saying Romney was persuasive in his argument concerning his policy pronouncements? Is that really what it was? Did the governor actually win them over? Really? Or are they saying stylistically Romney, who had appeared flustered throughout the debate, and at times even sweating, out did the President?
If this is a stylistic argument, then Democrats are once again demonstrating that they are nothing like Republicans, for Republicans would never claim President Obama the victor in any debate based upon stylistic considerations, absolutely not!
But, here we are, in a close election, Democrats are letting it be known loud and clear that Mitt Romney was the absolute victor tonight, leaving low information voters and others who might have missed the debate to conclude that Romney’s policies won the night…. And maybe those who had been leaning toward the President might just decide to give the mendacious governor a second look.
I reject the idea that Romney won this debate. He failed to convince me based upon his arguments and he failed to convince me based upon his style. And for the record, the President appeared calm, sober, competent, and presidential. He also spoke the truth.
President Obama in tonight's debate:
It just reminds me of, you know, he says that he’s going to close deductions and loopholes for his tax plan. That’s how it’s going to be paid for, but we don’t know the details. He says that he’s going to replace Dodd-Frank, Wall Street reform, but we don’t know exactly which ones. He won’t tell us. He now says he’s going to replace Obamacare and ensure that all the good things that are in it are going to be in there and you don’t have to worry.
And at some point, I think the American people have to ask themselves, is the reason that Governor Romney is keeping all these plans to replace secret because they’re too good? Is it -- is it because that somehow middle-class families are going to benefit too much from them?
No. The reason is, is because, when we reform Wall Street, when we tackle the problem of pre-existing conditions, then, you know, these are tough problems and we’ve got to make choices. And the choices we’ve made have been ones that ultimately are benefiting middle-class families all across the country.
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